re: Baseball Preview 2023 Edition (Feb 10th - Pro Prospects & SEC Standings)

The tandem stuff seems crazy to me written out like that. Sounds manageable in theory but likely impossible to schedule like that

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No shock but Thompson being the guy full stop may trigger some posters.

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I’m thinking that CJJ includes Thompson on that list because it’s a confidence boost for Thompson. CJJ’s actions tell you all you need to know. He obviously went after a few experienced starters, at SS, in the portal but it didn’t work out. Thompson’s bat won’t take him out of the lineup but his glove definitely could.

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You let Skenes go as long as he can.

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The way he’s being protected, he may never go as long as he can until maybe the regional. And to be honest, we may not need him to. I know he’s not popular, but Sully protected his big starters this way too when he could. Most notably was 2017.

I don't think we see tandem at all. I just think we have multiple guys that can be long relievers in close games, stoppers, closers, or whatever role arises. If Skenes, Floyd, and Hurd are your starters, you still have at least Taylor and Shores to do whatever you want with - bring them in early and finish, wait for the later innings, etc. Although a tier down, Money, Dutton, and Little can also serve multiple roles. Edwards and Collins probably fit, too. And, that's not even mentioning the lefties.

You need to have a plan, though. Who gets up first in this situation or that situation, then who gets up if this happens after first guy in, etc. And, I think to a certain degree, aside from game flow, styles will matter.

to ell_13's point on protecting starters, I know fans want 56 - 0, and sweeps in the post season, but Ole Miss last year lost 23 games, Fresno State in '08 lost 31. The trophy still reads National Champions. The last week of June is what matters and that is a long way away.

I'm interested to see how Wes calls games.

Seemed like AD was always fastballs the first time through the order. Which is ok but not if the pitcher is getting shelled.

Also saddened to see Hilliard no longer on staff. Hometown hero and great tiger. Dude plugged so many holes in our staff throughout his long career and stepped up when we needed him time and time again. I loved watching him drop that big bender in there time and time again and getting guys to whiff at it even when they knew it was coming. He will be missed.

Edit:
I really really do hope we get less mound visits than last year. I get that it was kind of needed with what we had last year but some of our games really dragged arse with all the visits and pitching changes.

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Yea, I'm not fully down with that either. Too many different variable to be able to plan out multiple pitchers for specific games without seeing the flow of the game. If you up by say 5 in the 6th inning of a Friday game I wouldn't want to throw out another top arm. I'd attempt to get through with some others then have the top arm on the backburner. Of course with this staff when going that route the not top arm guys can have a short leash if need be with the amount of options.

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The thought process seems to be that Jay wants at least 5 guys stretched out enough to start games in the postseason. I don’t think he’ll let us lose games because of it but he’s going to keep guys stretched out as long as he can.

You’ll probably see more traditional and creative bullpen decisions against the likes of Tennessee.

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75

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Awesome. Most excited to see what this staff can do.